Tuesday, February 12, 2008

"I want to [work out a long-term contract]," Wang said after working out at the team's Minor League complex in Tampa, before admitting that the Yankees have led him to dismiss that hope.

The team's reasoning, according to Wang, was that it's difficult for pitchers to stay healthy, so there's little incentive to sign a young starter to a long-term deal.

Especially not one like Wang, who won't be a free agent until 2011. With no competition for his services for another four seasons, the Yankees don't have much reason to lock him up with a long-term deal. Waiting may cost them some money if Wang continues to improve, but it also effectively voids the risk of injury.

Robinson Cano signed a four-year deal earlier, effectively taking away his arbitration years, so I could see why Wang wants a long-term deal. However, pitchers are much more different from second basemen.

I guess it's better to pay him more money while he is playing than to pay him guaranteed money if he's hurt.